MCAFEE ANNOUNCES VIRUSSCAN 2.5 FOR WINDOWS 3.X; LEVERAGES VxD TECHNOLOGY TO PROVIDE EXCEPTIONAL ON-ACCESS VIRUS PROTECTION; VxD Technology Overcomes Performance and Memory Resource Utilization Limitations of Traditional TSRs.

SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 11, 1996--McAfee (Nasdaq: MCAF), the world's leading vendor of anti-virus software, today announced VirusScan 2.5 for Windows 3.x, a new version of its best-selling anti-virus software featuring dramatically improved on-access scanning capabilities. On-access scanning, which monitors PC system events in real-time, prevents the execution and spread of virus infections. VirusScan detects over 8,000 viruses and virus variants, including all of the latest macro viruses.

"Most anti-virus packages accomplish on-access scanning by using terminate and stay resident programs (TSRs), which are notoriously unstable and consume critical conventional memory resources," said Chris Harget, anti-virus product manager at McAfee. "The limitations of TSR technology cause many computer users to disable their on-access scanning, leaving them extremely vulnerable to virus attacks. VirusScan's new VxD overcomes these limitations by operating in higher memory, thereby eliminating system conflicts."

VirusScan's VxD Provides Superior On-Access Virus Protection

By utilizing memory outside the first megabyte of conventional memory, McAfee's new VxD module leverages the full strength of McAfee's award-winning virus scanning engine. VirusScan acts as a real-time virus filter, monitoring critical disk activities such as file runs, program executions, file creations, file renames, disk accesses, system startups and system shut downs.

The ability to perform a real-time scan at system shutdown time is especially important in the battle against boot viruses. Boot virus infections are caused when an infected floppy disk is accidentally left in the floppy drive of a PC. DOS, mistakenly believing that the floppy contains boot information, tries to access the disk at startup time and becomes infected with a boot virus. Because VirusScan scans at system shutdown, the software will ensure that infected floppies are never left in the floppy drive.

VirusScan can be configured to take a variety of user or administrator-defined actions when a virus is discovered. Supported actions include file deletion, file quarantining, file repair, or prompting the user for specific action. VirusScan can also be configured to display custom messages and instructions when a virus is found.

Virus Information Library Contains Useful Recovery Information

In addition to the new VxD, VirusScan also incorporates McAfee's new Virus Information Library module, which contains an online virus encyclopedia with detailed information on the most common computer viruses. Information covered includes where the virus attacks, how it operates, its symptoms, and expert advice for removing the virus. Virus entries are hotlinked to 250 technical briefs, which contain additional virus removal information. The Virus Information Library draws upon over 70,000 man-hours of research performed by McAfee. The Virus Information Library is an ongoing project, serving as a living knowledgebase whose depth and importance will continue to grow as McAfee researchers add new information and develop new virus remediation tools.

VirusScan for Windows 3.x Delivers Unmatched Flexibility and Detection

VirusScan's flexibility makes it easy for users to protect themselves from all known and unknown virus threats. The software performs scheduled and on-demand scans of individual files, folders, directories, and entire systems. Users can also configure VirusScan to automatically execute pre-defined actions when it encounters suspected virus infections. Actions include logging, file relocation and isolation, or file deletion.

The product incorporates McAfee's world-proven virus scanning and removal technology. This technology, called Code Matrix Scanning and Code Trace Scanning, enables VirusScan to accurately detect over 8,000 viruses, including boot viruses; macro viruses; file viruses; multi-partite viruses; stealth viruses; encrypted viruses; and polymorphic viruses. A key reason for McAfee's consistently high detection rate is VirusScan's large installed base of over ten million users. By having more users than any other vendor, McAfee is often the first to learn about and react to new and emerging virus threats.

McAfee also utilizes a worldwide support team of virus researchers, programmers, and technical support personnel to respond quickly to customers' virus incidents. The Company's Internet Support Forum, operated from its web page, provides customers the ability to participate in threaded discussion groups covering the latest virus fighting trends and techniques. The Company's acclaimed 24-Hour Virus Emergency Response Center is equipped to handle customer problems swiftly and decisively.

McAfee World's Leading Vendor of Anti-Virus Solutions

According to IDC, McAfee is the leading vendor of anti-virus software, with a worldwide unit market share of 68% for standalone DOS and Windows PC desktops. McAfee provides the industry's most comprehensive line of anti-virus software and hardware solutions designed to protect against computer viruses on all major desktop and network computing platforms. The products support DOS, Windows 3.x, Windows 95, Windows NT, Unix, OS/2, the Internet, and the Macintosh.

McAfee's flagship anti-virus product for desktop computers is VirusScan. NetShield, McAfee's award-winning anti-virus software for networks, protects NetWare and NT servers. WebScan, an anti-virus scanner for Web browsers and email, protects desktop computer users from accidentally downloading virus-infected files from the Internet. For further protection against Internet-borne viruses, McAfee has announced WebShield, an anti-virus solution for Internet gateways and firewalls that is scheduled to ship during the third quarter. For specialized boot virus prevention, McAfee sells BootShield software and licenses its ROMShield firmware to leading PC systems and network adapter companies.

Pricing and Availability

VirusScan 2.5 for Windows 3.x begins shipping the first week of July and carries a suggested retail price of $65.00 and an estimated street price of $49.00. A personal online maintenance subscription, which costs $49.00 for individuals, provides free support and updates -- both major and minor -- for one year. McAfee license subscriptions are transferable from one operating system to another, allowing VirusScan for Windows 3.x users to migrate to VirusScan for Windows 95 or VirusScan for Windows NT at no additional cost.

VirusScan site license subscriptions, which have a term of two years, are priced between $50.00 per node for 25 nodes to $20.50 a node for 1000 nodes.

The Virus Information Library module will soon be made available for other McAfee anti-virus products, including VirusScan for Windows 95, VirusScan for Windows NT, and WebScan. The Virus Information Library is also available as a free public service from McAfee's Web site, where customers can perform online queries. The Library's knowledgebase is updated with new information on a daily basis.

Founded in 1989, McAfee is a leading worldwide vendor of Network Security and Management products for enterprise networks. The Company is also a leader in Internet and Web-based electronic software distribution. McAfee is headquartered in Santa Clara, California and can be reached by phone at [phone] or by fax at [phone]. McAfee's Web address is http://www.mcafee.com. -0-

Editor's note: Screen shots are available by calling Mark Coker or Jim Azevedo at Dovetail Public Relations at 408.395.3600.

CONTACT: McAfee

Chris Harget, 408/980-3622

or

Dovetail Public Relations

Mark Coker, 408/395-3600